I was looking for a new pack and wondered if anyone has tried red rocks ultimate pack. How does it fit against your back. I like
the idea of the blue barrel. Thanks for any help.

We use barrels, like them alot. Now let me show you a comparison.
Redrock Super pack-$259.95
You get 2 30L barrels and a pack for a total capacity of 60L

Northwest Canoe-$167.00
60L barrel plus harness for a total capacity of 60L

Save yourself $92.95, better yet pick up some yolk pads or a CCS Rucksack or Granite gear pack liner form Northwest canoe with the savings.

northwestcanoe.com, they are a board sponsor

CB

Not affiliated just a happy customer

We have a Redrock Super Pack so here are my thoughts.

Pros:
The pack is big. There is quite a bit of room for additional gear on top of the barrels. The two barrels give you more options when packing. For example - Cold items insulated in one that you don't need to open as often, or for shorter trips you can pack one barrel with food and the other with gear. Having your food divided up into two barrels reduces the chances of losing all your food - it seems pretty unlikely that a bear would find and destroy both barrels. It is comfortable to carry with a reasonable load.

Cons:
There are no side compression straps to snug the pack tightly around the barrels. The load lifter straps that are used to pull the pack snug to your back attach only to the top lid. If the pack is not tightly packed above the barrels, there is a lot of loose fabric in the lid so it is difficult to get the straps to pull the pack up tight to your back. If really loaded heavy, these two issues can allow the pack to pull away and sag a bit which results in a less comfortable carry.

I think the two barrel pack idea is a good one but there are some small tweaks that could be made to the pack that would make it much better.

Or another way to configure things is get 2 30L barrels and 2 harness.
At $58 each for the barrels and $44 for each harness thats $204 and you can split up the carry. Still have the option of splitting the barrels at night and you save around $50.
CB

I have the Superpack and like it. Got it as a Christmas Present from my parents so (didn't have to pay for it) I "really" like it.

That being said, I think it's a great system and think it's very comfortable to carry. My wife and I single portage so I like it better than 2 barrels w/harnesses because I can get both barrels across the portage in one trip with the canoe. With the extra space in the pack I can also get the tent and some other gear in the pack on top of the barrels so it has more capacity than 1 60L barrel or 2 30L barrels. I also think it's a lot more comfortable than the barrel harnesses.

If you have the money to spend and/or want a system to help you single portage it's a great pack, very good quality as it's made by Kondos, but as Cedarboy stated there are less expensive options for you.

I rented the Super Pack in 2001 and converted me over to barrels from hanging.

I personally don't like the 60L barrels. I like having 2 smaller barrels. It is easier to rummage and organize your gear in the smaller barrels. Also the barrels are not bear proof so having 2 barrels reduces your risk of losing everything.

I also personally do not like the barrel harnesses. I do not find them as comfortable as a pack, especially carrying the 30L barrels--seems like too light of a load. They work for some but if I am going to carry a load, 30L is not very much.

The Superpack is a fair price, but if you already have good packs you can make your own for cheaper. I already had a Superior One from granite gear, and a CCS Guide pack. So I just purchased 2 30L barrels as I found them on sale and used them with my packs. Total Cost to me was less than $80. Both the Superior One and the Guide worked well. Just gotta be care full to not overload them Barrels/packs they can get too heavy to carry at times.

But if you want to price out comparisons for barrel packs. The CCS guide pack full retail $210.00, 2 barrels from midwest mountaineering or Northwest Canoe approximately $100.00. Total price to start would be $310.00. But then again I never pay retail price :)

T

i have a super pack. it carries great, but can get very heavy.

We have used the redrock super pack for years. I think it is great! I do like two 30L barrels instead of one big 60L barrel. They make good seats too. The pack is big and you can get a lot of stuff in along with the barrels. However, it can get pretty heavy. I think it rides in the canoe great. We lay it flat and that lowers the center of gravity of the canoe. It is completely water proof and I know our food is safe from water and animals (mouse proof and so far bear proof).

I have one and would say it is excellent. I prefer it to a single 60l barrel which is huge and cavernous, especially when it gets empty. The pack is reasonably comfortable. Smaller items fit in the crevasses between the barrels. Easy enough to hand from a tree in the pack. The barrel size also is right for seating for most people. The barrels are water proof and very durable, rodent proof, etc. I have used a 60 l barrel with a harness and the Red Rock pack is definitely more comfortable.

I looked at these and loved the idea. However, I could not justify the cash for it, I tried to get a used one over the winter and they were sold out. I did come up with a compromise through this board though. I have contacted Old Scout and am purchasing two of his olive barrels for a very reasonable price and I got a Granite Gear pack from Amazon on sale. All said I have under a $100.00 in the whole unit. Not sure it will work as well but I think it should be close. Any opinions on any of this set up or advice to improve it would be appreciated.

quote K2: "I looked at these and loved the idea. However, I could not justify the cash for it, I tried to get a used one over the winter and they were sold out. I did come up with a compromise through this board though. I have contacted Old Scout and am purchasing two of his olive barrels for a very reasonable price and I got a Granite Gear pack from Amazon on sale. All said I have under a $100.00 in the whole unit. Not sure it will work as well but I think it should be close. Any opinions on any of this set up or advice to improve it would be appreciated. "

Never seen the olive barrells but sounds like it should work fine. Which GG pack did you get? I prefer the ones with the compression straps, sternum/hip straps to help even out the load, but in a pinch one time we just used a regular GG pack with the barrels and it worked.

T

quote timatkn: "

quote K2: "I looked at these and loved the idea. However, I could not justify the cash for it, I tried to get a used one over the winter and they were sold out. I did come up with a compromise through this board though. I have contacted Old Scout and am purchasing two of his olive barrels for a very reasonable price and I got a Granite Gear pack from Amazon on sale. All said I have under a $100.00 in the whole unit. Not sure it will work as well but I think it should be close. Any opinions on any of this set up or advice to improve it would be appreciated. "

Never seen the olive barrels but sounds like it should work fine. Which GG pack did you get? I prefer the ones with the compression straps, sternum/hip straps to help even out the load, but in a pinch one time we just used a regular GG pack with the barrels and it worked.


T"

I am trying to add a picture of what I hope will be my end product. This pic is from Old Scout. I just have the regular GG pack.

Thanks to everyone who gave me an input. Now I have to decide what
to do.